Concerning Detroit Baseball

Walkoff Wrap: Berry

One quick thought on Quintin Berry from the Tiger’s 1-1 tie against the New York Yankees and it comes from Lee Panas over at Tiger Tales. I really couldn’t say it better myself, so I won’t:

The Tigers signed him as a minor-league free agent this winter and now he’s trying to make the most of his opportunity. Can he make the team? They would probably have to release Thomas and option Dirks to Toledo in order for it to happen. Alternatively, they could release Brandon Inge, option Danny Worth and carry Berry as one of two extra outfielders.

Neither scenario seems very likely to me, but it would not be the first time the Tigers surprised us at the end of spring training. Both Leyland and General Manager Dave Dombrowski have talked about the need for more speed and Berry has plenty of that. He also has some on base skills and can play defense. I don’t think he’ll make the team, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

The other story from the game belongs to Duane Below. I’ll let Kurt Mensching of Bless You Boys handle this one:

Tigers manager Jim Leyland traveled with this squad because he wanted to see Below pitch. The ffith-starter was tasked with facing essentially the Yankees’ opening day lineup. He had a few hiccups along the way, and only lasted 3 2/3 innings. But the important factor was that he survived the start on three hits and a walk. (He did get a little help from his defense, but that’s why it’s there, right?) After Jeter’s homer, Below made it through the next three batters in order to get out of the first. Below gave up doubles in the second and third innings — plus a walk in the second — but that was it. I suspect it went a long way toward making his case ahead of Andy Oliver, but that can change on Tuesday when both Oliver and Drew Smyly pitch.

I’m doing a bit of cheating tonight, but I’m setting myself up for three days where I probably won’t be around to post anything. Thanks to the genius that is scheduling posts no one will notice, but that means I’m doing a bunch of writing for the prediction series that I’ve scheduled to be posted over the next few days. I’m not sure if I’ll have access to do a daily wrap, but I will try to sneak into a seedy bathroom or grungy basement to type up a few notes (not that I’ll have listened or watched any of the games) for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays games.

But that won’t stop me from including a fifth starter update right now. The other split squad game (which the Tigers won 6-3 against Philadelphia in Clearwater) is included in the standing.

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